After the stress of applications, interviews, and wrapping up high school, college students face a whole new stressor- starting classes. The transition to the college experience can range from excitement to overwhelming discomfort. Coming into the new year, you may have expectations for yourself about how you should be performing, how many friends you should’ve made, or how things should feel in general. You may have also been comparing yourself to other students, wondering why your life isn’t looking more like theirs.
Transitioning to college is HARD, but there are some ways to help ease anxiety and stress while managing everything life throws at you.
Here are some helpful tips to help you with your transition to college:
Let go of expectations.
Whether the expectations are about how you should feel, think, act, or what you should have accomplished at school; try to let go of what you expected and live the actual experience instead.
You may feel homesickness, or you’re having a hard time balancing all of your new classes with a social life, or still deciding on what your dreams are for the future. All of these things are okay and part of college life.
Allow yourself to accept and acknowledge these feelings and give yourself time to navigate the new experience and all of the nuances that come with it.
This is all a natural part of the college transition and taking care of your mental health can help with student success.
Establish a routine.
When you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, scared or unsafe, creating routine can help ease the uncertainty that comes along with change.
This will not be the last time you transition in your life, so taking steps to help yourself now will only help your future self. Think about what you like and try to incorporate those elements into your routine.
Create structure around study habits to develop study skills and carve out time for completing homework, reading and test prep.
If you love to walk around the campus, carve out time to do that. If you are a commuting to campus, help yourself out by getting parking that will be available every time, even if that means spending a little more upfront. Set yourself up for success so that you don’t feel frantic in the long-term.
If you know that you love making yourself coffee each day or going to the gym, incorporate that into your routine. There is time to do the things that brighten up your day. Invite friends (new and/or old) to have a weekly TV night or dinner night.
Showing up for yourself by creating consistent activity time either alone or with others can help ease anxiety, stress, overwhelm and depression.
You don’t have to know everything about being an adult just because you are of adult age. College is a time for you to figure out what you need to be successful in whatever your goals are for your life.
Whether you are a first year student or 5th year, you can begin learning what works best for you, based on what you need and how you work best.
Cultivate Community
You get to listen to your needs as you navigate transitioning into college, and socializing is often a need for students who are shifting. Fellow students can be a resource for you throughout the year.
When you connect with peers on your campus, you may see similarities among the student body, and especially within your college program. This can often ease the feeling that you are alone.
There are many students just like you who want similar outcomes. Find the people you enjoy the most.
No matter your situation, colleges have a variety of groups, clubs, teams, and social outlets available for students. Check out the student services department on the school website or on campus to learn more about activities that might be of interest to you.
Whether you are seeking higher education through a university, community college, vocational school, or another program; you can find connection to others and build community – however that looks to you.
Maintain your physical and mental health.
With juggling classes, social life, work, etc., you may notice that you begin to neglect your physical and mental health. Transitioning to college is a time to establish life long routines that are supportive for you.
It can be tempting to stay up all night to finish a paper for a college course or engage in a social outing while putting off other responsibilities, however, learning how to take care of yourself now can help you later.
If you have always procrastinated, see how it feels to let that go and practice self-discipline instead with your college classes. You won’t do this perfectly, and you get to decide what feels right for you. If working up until the last minute is best for you, then it is best for you.
If you are feeling anxious or depressed, think about how you are spending time. If you are not taking care of yourself, the first step can be simple. Get enough sleep, drink water, and eat foods that feel good to you. If you are having difficulty with any of these, seeking additional help for coping with a mental health professional can be a great way to increase your support and coping skills.
If you have been drinking heavily, think about a replacement habit. Alcohol is a depressant that is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Substance abuse can be common, and if you know you are putting yourself into unsafe situations, reach out for help. To equip yourself with tools, tap into the resources on campus.
Therapy might be a good fit.
Transitioning to college as a new student is a change. You have more freedom. You may be away from your support systems for the first time. You can enjoy the experience, and it can be difficult to manage at the same time. Sometimes, articulating how you are feeling with an objective person can be helpful. A few sessions of counseling are normally free on college campuses. Check what resources are available to you.
There is no timeline for a successful transition to college – It may take your entire freshman year or even a couple of years to truly feel at home in a new place. It is different for every student.
If you know something doesn’t feel right to you, listen to yourself. Colleges have everything you need in one place, even if the college campus is large.
Success canned does look different for everyone. Get involved with clubs, groups, and relationships that feel satisfying to you.
It can seem overwhelming to be in a new place, and there is opportunity as well. Learning how to take care of yourself sets you up for success for the rest of your life.